The St. George Anglican Church was burned to the ground on Sept. 28, 2024 after standing in Loon Lake for 85 years. (submitted photo)

By Glynn Brothen

THIS IS A PLEA FOR HELP!

Mayor in Loon Lake requests support in wake of criminal activity, church fire

Oct 1, 2024 | 4:46 PM

The mayor of Loon Lake has written a notice to the provincial government to say he’s on the verge of calling a state of emergency after a rash of criminal activity in the community, culminating with a suspected arson last weekend.

Mayor Brian Hirschfeld said he woke up Saturday morning to learn the St. George Anglican Church burned down. He said the building was iconic for the village and council had at one time considered applying for its heritage status.

Some in the village are questioning the timing of the fire, feeling it may be connected to the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, as there have been a series of Anglican and Catholic church sites that have burned since residential school burial sites were discovered. Others, however, think it is just one of many numerous criminal activities in the community.

Hirschfeld said because the community has dealt with ongoing criminal elements from vandalism to theft, many are seeing the fire as the final straw and are becoming desperate.

“The taxpayers are sick and tired of it and the word vigilante has come up lots. We’re trying to get everybody to stay calm and let the police try to do their job,” he said, noting he also feels the frustration.

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“My neighbour across the street is 75 years old and he got hit (vandalized) six times in a month,” he said. “I’m on the verge of… debating or seeing if it’s possible that we can call a state of emergency. That’s how bad it has gotten.”

The mayor wrote a note to the office’s of both Scott Moe and Carla Beck, pleading for assistance.

“I want you to deal with this personally. People are talking about vigilantism and that is a scary notion,” Hirschfeld’s letter said. “If I do not hear back from anyone about this in the next few days, I am prepared to call a state of emergency. This is a plea for HELP!”

Moe’s office replied to the mayor to tell him the letter was forwarded to the office of the minister for corrections, policing and public safety.

The letter the mayor of Loon Lake wrote to both Scott Moe and Carla Beck. (submitted photo)

Among the provincial partners Hirschfeld contacted, he said he heard back from MP Gary Vidal. He said the community is seeking more assistance in the way of additional RCMP officers and potentially the provincial marshals service

He said the range of damages the village is responsible for in terms of an insurance claim is roughly $40,000.

If you have any information on the fire, you are asked to contact Loon Lake RCMP.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com